Harrison, Burr

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1894-1978

Biography

William Burr Harrison, Jr. was born November 19, 1894 in Johnson City, Tennessee to William Burr Harrison, Sr. and Cornelia Miller Harrison. Harrison attended Johnson City public schools, and for the academic year 1911-12, he attended East Tennessee State Normal School (ETSNS). At ETSNS, he was active in sports, particularly tennis and basketball. After leaving ETSNS, Harrison accepted a position as a clerk for the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway, where he worked until 1920. In that year he established the Burr Harrison Studios in Johnson City. Harrison produced an extensive body of photographs documenting life in the Johnson City area, c. 1920-50. Beginning in the 1940s he increasingly dedicated his work to commercial and portrait photography.

Harrison married Mayme Bryan and they had one son, Dr. W. B. Harrison, III and two daughters, Mrs. Rodney Skipworth, and Mrs. Steger Preston. The older Harrison was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City where he served as an elder, and a member of the Brotherhood Bible Class. Harrison died May 31, 1978 at his residence in Johnson City.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Burr Harrison Photographs

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: AppMs-64

Scope and Contents The Burr Harrison Photographs consist of 380 photographic images (prints and negatives) depicting Johnson City and environs circa 1881-1958. The collection represents only a portion of Harrison's work, as much of it did not survive. The collection centers on photographs of commercial buildings in downtown Johnson City; industries, residences, apartment houses and churches in the city; buildings and activities at Mountain Home; and buildings at East Tennessee State Normal School (ETSNS). Some...

Dates: 1881-1958

Found in: Archives of Appalachia / Burr Harrison Photographs

Filtered By

Subject: Greeneville (Tenn.) X